Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Latrice M. Walker for NY Assembly District 55
Candidate Name: Latrice M. Walker
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 55
With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy?
a. As the representative for my constituents in District 55, I have made it a priority to fight for the persecuted and underrepresented members of my community. Whether that’s immigrants, the indigent, or the LGBTQ community, it is a job I do not take lightly. During my time in the Assembly, I have worked on and fought for countless progressive agendas and have even gone on hunger strikes in protest against lawmakers stripping away bail reform laws.
2. What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
a. Throughout my career I have worked with, supported, and learned from many members of the LGTBQ community. One such person is Brad Hoylman-Sigal who I have had great pleasure working with and who has championed LGBTQ rights in our State. I have been supported by Pride Center and have also worked closely with the Jim Owles Club and consider Allen Roskoff a great ally.
3. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American Civil Rights, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump?
a. I have been proud to protest the closure of SUNY Downstate, go on hunger strikes to support bail reform, and attend the Pride Parade. Just a few weeks ago I was at a rally calling for the Governor to close the Medicair Coverage Gap.
4. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country?
a. I support reparations and worked on legislation that would establish the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, to examine the institution of slavery and its effects to this day.
5. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.?
a. Systemic racism exists across our society and has to be addressed on multiple fronts. First and foremost, I have worked on voting reform to ensure that everyone has access to the ballot box. I have also worked to reduce the Medicare Coverage Gap (which disproportionately affects people of color), fought against the closure of SUNY Downstate, and gone on hunger strikes to protect bail reform. Additionally, I supported the creation of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, to examine the institution of slavery and its effects to this day.
6. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Senate 2423?
a. Yes, I support Elder Parole and am a co-sponsor on the Assembly’s Elder Parole Bill, Assembly 2035.
7. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Senate S774, which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts?
a. Yes, I support the legislation and am a co-sponsor on the Assembly’s Earned Time Act, Assembly 1128.
8. Do you sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, S6471 which reduces excessive sentences and enables judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances?
a. Yes, I support the legislation and am a co-sponsor on the Assembly’s Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill, Assembly 2036A.
9. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, S7872, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances?
a. Yes, I support the legislation and am a co-sponsor on the Assembly’s Second Look Act, Assembly 531.
10. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
a. I have already done hunger strikes in order to protest the stripping away of bail reform laws, and I have spoken out in support of clemency and parole reform (especially when it comes to low-level offenses). I also recently worked on and supported sentencing reform.
11. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
a. I have spoken out against perpetual punishment and have worked on housing policy to help formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter society. I would proudly hire anyone who is qualified for the job whether or not they are formerly incarcerated.
12. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions?
a. Yes, I visited Rikers Island to learn of the conditions and speak with incarcerated individuals.
13. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment?
a. It is crucial to ensure that inmates continue to develop and learn skills that will make them contributing members of society. That is why I have proposed legislation that would supply inmates with tablets to for educational means.
14. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council?
a. Yes I support ending solitary confinement.
15. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing?
a. My proposals include reducing the work permit wait time, providing public housing instead of hotels and tents, enacting a simple path to citizenship, and building more affordable housing.
16. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect?
a. Due to the Trump Administration’s racist immigration laws, it is crucial to keep their policies out of our State. That is why I supported the New York for All Act, which would prohibit any officer or state entities from asking about any individuals immigration status.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
a. Yes I do. I have proposed legislation that would remove the NYS law that makes having a condom evidence of prostitution.
18. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model?
a. Yes
19. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?
a. In order to combat the Trump Administration’s assault on women’s rights, I have worked on legislation that protects a woman’s right to choose, that ensures domestic violence victims have a path to seek justice, and more.
20. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
a. Yes, I support universal healthcare as it is crucial to closing the health care gap.
21. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services?
a. I have worked on legislation that protects a woman’s right to choose and changes the law that allows the possession of condoms to be used as evidence of prostitution.
22. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correction communities?
a. Yes
23. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda?
a. Yes
24. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism?
a. Hatred of the other is fueled by ignorance. That is why I support improving the way our public schools educate on Jewish and Muslim history and issues.
25. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib?
a. No.
26. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East?
a. Yes.
27. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by?
a. No or… All future aid packages for Israel need to be balanced by strict rules of engagement in Gaza and increased aid for innocent Gazans.
28. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC?
a. Yes
29. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy?
a. In order to prevent Trump from taking over the country we must support President Biden in his re-election bid through funding, campaigning, and properly taking care of New York State – which in many ways represents the effectiveness of the Democratic Party as a whole.
30. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”?
a. The only way to fight ignorance is with education. Improving our school system, educating people on the history of burning books, and protecting speech is the best way to combat the burning books and anti-wokeness campaign.
31. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
a. The statue of Christopher Columbus represents the persecution of indigenous Americans and as a result, should be removed and replaced with something that honors the indigenous tribes of New York.
32. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
a. Yes
33. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses?
a. Small businesses are the lifeblood of New York and our nightlife industry is a crucial part of that. That is why I support easing restrictions on nightlife and speaking with members of the industry.
34. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City?
a. LGBTQ+ political clubs boycotting Mayor Eric Adams’ Pride reception – again (hyperlink to article)
35. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people?
a. A simple option is to pass legislation that forced every New York State community to help fund New York City’s efforts to shelter recently arrived people. Another, more complicated option is to utilize the right to shelter law that is currently in place in New York City. The City’s right to shelter mandate was born out of a lawsuit regarding the New York State Constitution. Filing lawsuits in other municipalities should force them to provide shelter as well.
36. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction S305 legislation?
a. Yes, I support the legislation and am a co-sponsor on the Assembly’s Good Cause Eviction Bill, Assembly 4454.
37. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections?
a. Yes.